2. Lightning effects

2.1 Direct and radiated effects

Due to their origin, the effects of lightning can be identified in two categories:

direct effects linked to the circulation of lightning current;
indirect effects in the form of overvoltages in conductive elements, caused by the electromagnetic radiation of the storm discharge and very significant variations in the potential of the local earth.

Lightning poses a wide variety of hazards, as its effects are manifold. In fact, the different parameters of lightning mentioned in the first part of this article do not lead to the same consequences or the same failure modes for installations and equipment:

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Lightning effects

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Lightning protection

Bibliography

(1) - KRIDER (E.P.) - The earth's electrical environment. - Dans Physics of lightning. Studies in geophysics, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, p. 30-40 (1986).
(2) - RAKOV (V.A.), UMAN (M.A.) - Lightning physics and effects. - Cambridge...

Websites

GAUVIN (D.) Storm chaser http://www.impact-orage.com/

Lightning protection recommendations and lightning handbook by ITU-T Study Group 5 http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/studygroups/com05/index.asp

Standards and norms

Protection against lightning – Part 1: General principles - CEI 62305-1 - 2010
Protection against lightning – Part 2: Risk management - CEI 62305-2 - 2010
Protection against lightning – Part 3 : Physical damages to structures and life hazard - CEI 62305-3 - 2010
Protection against lightning – Part 4 : Electrical and electronic systems within structures - CEI 62305-4 - 2010
Protection of...

Regulations

Arrêté du 15 janvier 2008 relatif à la protection contre la foudre de certaines installations classées, NOR : DEVP0770817A, JORF n° 0097 du 24 avril 2008 (version abrogated on August 6, 2011)